The Bar Association made much of the issue in late October, coming out swinging at the bench for late judgments which in some instances ran for ten years. Among judges being put to task for the late delivery of judgments was the Chief Justice. It would seem now the height of hypocrisy that it is the Bar Association that is clamoring for him to remain. Some members have become so impassioned to have the Chief Justice remain that they took to writing a series of correspondences to the Prime Minister in which they wished to ‘guide’ the Prime Minister in the decision making process as to who would be the next Chief Justice.
While no one can blame the Bar for attempting the stunt which they did, there are those who would look at the gathering of lawyers with quite a questioning look. If the Bar were so interested in the judicial system maybe it should be more concerned about if it can assist it in making speedier decisions as well as ensuring that justice is dispensed more equitably.
A few suggestions to the Bar: instead of concerning itself on who the next CJ is going to be, maybe it should be involving itself more in assisting with pro-bono cases in the Legal Aid office. On a daily basis that office is swamped with requests from people who cannot afford legal representation. Maybe the Bar can contribute a few more hours to that department in an effort for justice to reach all; even those who cannot afford it.
Another suggestion would be that the Bar assists in the prosecution of cases; many times the Director of Public Prosecutions’ office could do with an additional attorney or two to help them in the prosecution of cases. Most of those attorneys working at the DPP’s office are overwhelmed by the volume of work which is thrust upon their shoulders. Bar, maybe you should look kindly on the work that your colleagues are doing on the flip side of the justice system and maybe you can contribute a little more in that area. The area of police investigation is also an area where legal assistance would be greatly appreciated. Maybe the Bar can dedicate some time in probably assisting on a daily basis in reviewing case files to see if they are complete even before they are sent up to the DPP’s office for prosecution. If that is too much to ask, maybe the Bar can facilitate training seminars for investigating officers in how to compile case files. Maybe the Bar can facilitate training seminars for the police prosecutors at the Magistrate’s Court level to ensure that those officers who are prosecutors are better able to do their job.
These are but a few recommendations that maybe the Bar can take up; after all, the Prime Minister has already made his decision that he will no longer entertain the letter-writing slump in which the Bar association finds itself in. After all, if the Association is truly interested in the delivery of justice there are many other areas that they can work on instead of involving themselves where they are not legally mandated to be involving themselves. The proper dispensing of justice, after all, is something that should concern all, and in particular those who make a living off it to ensure it is being done properly.
